>U Mom Knows Best: My Experience With Allergy Shots ~ 1st Appointment

Saturday, February 19, 2022

My Experience With Allergy Shots ~ 1st Appointment

I decided to start an allergy shot treatment program to help manage my asthma symptoms. This is a summary of my first allergy shot appointment

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Several months ago my world was rocked and my dairy allergy became life-threatening. I experienced my first anaphylaxis episode. During this time my asthma symptoms worsened as we discovered mold in our house. Last fall was a crazy time for my health. It was then my husband encouraged me to see an allergist and get some allergy testing done. While I mostly knew what I was allergic to, this doctor appointment was to get the much-needed food allergy emergency medicines. 

 I went to my allergy doctor appointment to get a prescription for an epi-pen for my food allergy but I was required to get allergy testing done. I also had to get some asthma testing done at this allergy specialist doctor appointment. I did not do well on the peak flow meter test. The allergy testing revealed that I was severely allergic to many of the native weeds, grass, and plants in my state. 

The asthma doctor asked me several questions about my asthma symptoms and helped me to realize that my asthma was not under control. The doctor wanted to start me on prescription asthma medications and recommended that I do an allergy shot treatment. The doctor said if I don't do something that my asthma could turn into COPD.  I was not too crazy about using prescription asthma drugs as I did not like the side effects. I wanted to control my asthma naturally but I realized that I was unable to manage my asthma symptoms without intervention. So as part of my lung healing treatment plan, I signed up for allergy shots.

What are allergy shots?

 Below is information that I found on the Mayo Clinic Website about allergy shots. Basically, allergy shots are a treatment to get your body used to the allergies that are causing your body problems. So that your allergy symptoms will go away. 

 Allergy shots are regular injections over a period of time — generally around three to five years — to stop or reduce allergy attacks. Allergy shots are a form of treatment called immunotherapy. Each allergy shot contains a tiny amount of the specific substance or substances that trigger your allergic reactions. These are called allergens. Allergy shots contain just enough allergens to stimulate your immune system but not enough to cause a full-blown allergic reaction. Over time, your doctor increases the dose of allergens in each of your allergy shots. This helps get your body used to the allergens (desensitization). Your immune system builds up a tolerance to the allergens, causing your allergy symptoms to diminish over time.

I had questions about allergy shots 

 Before I agreed to start allergy shots for my asthma, I did some research on allergy shots for seasonal allergies. I wanted to know the side effects of allergy shots. While I found plenty of allergy shots information from medical websites, I found very little from other people's experience with allergy shot treatment. I had questions about allergy shots that needed answers. I wanted to know the side effects of allergy shots. I wanted to know how people felt after they received their shots for allergy treatment.

 I was frustrated that I could not find any reviews for allergy shots. So I decided that I would use my voice and writing skills to share my experience with receiving allergy shots at an allergy clinic. So others could understand the process of allergy shots. My allergy shot treatment plan is a four to 5-year treatment plan with a 6-month build-up phase and a 4-year maintenance phase. You can read more about my allergy shot treatment plan HERE.

So for the next 6 months (2 times a month), I will be getting injections of the allergens into my arms. The doctor said, that for the most part, the side effects from the allergy shots will happen the day of and the next couple of days. So I will be documenting my allergy shot side effects on Mom Knows Best.


My first allergy appointment

 I was a little anxious about my first allergy shot appointment, as I did not know what to expect. I was worried that I would have a severe asthma attack. Those three vials of my allergens contained all the plants that I was allergic to as well as dust. I felt like I was going to be walking into a yard of overgrown weeds on a rainy day with bad air quality while someone was tossing dust around me.

 When I arrived at the allergy shot place, I signed in. I then sat down to be called back to the allergy shot room. After 5 minutes, my name was called. I walked into the room and was greeted by the person who would be giving me the allergy shots. She asked me about my asthma symptoms and reminded me that if my asthma was out of control, that I would have to reschedule my shot appointment. The allergy shots could cause an asthma attack.

 So I rolled up my sleeves and the clinic employee, injected two shots into my left arm and one into my right arm. The shots contained small amounts of the things that I am allergic to. Like all shot injections, it felt like a small pinch. I then had to sit in the waiting room for 30 minutes. That was a precaution so that the clinic could treat any serious side effects from the allergy shots.

My side effects from the allergy shots

+ Stinging at the injection site

+ Mild asthma symptoms

+ Itchy arms

+ Sore arms

+ Woke up at night with breathing issues

+ Keep reading to learn more 

 I sat down in the allergy shot waiting room and did some work on my tablet. Then about 5 minutes later, the injection spots on my arm started to sting. Thankfully that did not last long. Then I started to experience some mild asthma symptoms of an asthmatic cough and some breathing issues. I took some deep breaths and felt better.

 I tried to busy myself so that I way I would not focus on any further symptoms. After my breathing issues, my arms started to feel itchy. While the itching was mild it was on my whole arms and the shot site had a small hive. The allergist said this was normal. My arms were also a bit sore. The itch part lasted about 15 minutes. After the 30 minutes of waiting time was done, the only symptom that I had was a sore arm.

 I had my allergy shot at 2:00 PM and the rest of the afternoon, my left arm continued to have some soreness. Then around 6:00 PM, I had some asthma symptoms that had my family asking if I was OK as I was coughing. Some deep breathing exercises helped me. My left arm also started to hurt more. 

 I went to bed that night feeling fine. I don't know what time I woke up in the middle of the night coughing. I had to sit up to cough up some mucus to restore my breathing from my asthma attack. Thankfully after a couple of coughs and deep breaths, I felt better. I had no further problems while I slept.

I felt better the next day

 I woke up the day after my allergy shot appointment feeling better. I did have some coughing but my ClearLungs helped with that. I was able to do my normal exercise routine that morning as exercise is beneficial for asthmatic people. Some people think that you can't exercise when you have asthma. That is so wrong as exercise helps me manage my asthma better. I may cough a lot when I exercise but that is just my body expelling the excess mucus from asthma.

 I made sure to take my BEAM Mineral supplement with the other supplements I use for asthma. The BEAM Minerals will help my cells process those supplements so they will work better. These plant-based minerals are a huge part of my lung healing treatment along with the allergy shots. You can read more about the benefits of BEAM Minerals HERE.

Use code MOMKNOWSBEST to save 20% on BEAM Minerals






12 comments:

Beth said...

I have a relative who has to have allergy shots. The first ones were hard on her, but over time, they've been a huge help for her.

AiringMyLaundry said...

I have never had allergy shots so I am not sure what it's like. I'm glad your experience is pretty good and that you felt better the next day.

Tasheena said...

My daughter had to get allergy shots, thanks for sharing your experience.

Elizabeth Neas said...

I have to have allergy shots so I know where you are coming from. It is normal to feel scared but before you know it you will be a pro! Just take it easy until you get used to them. I will keep you in my thoughts!

Janis Brett Elspas said...

I used to get allergy shots years ago, but had trouble keeping up with the maintenance injections. I know it a challenge and hope things go well for you.

Kathy said...

I've never had to get allergy shots before. I do know many who have though. It's great to hear about your experience. I'm sure this could help others too.

Lyanna Soria said...

I don't think I've had allergy shots before but I can relate to being an asthmatic, my kids also have it and the sessions can be quite pricy.

Forever My Little Moon said...

I haven't heard of allergy shots before, but I hope they work for you!

Marysa said...

I have never had to have allergy shots before, but many of my friends have. Wishing you the best!

Lynndee said...

Our friend's wife is allergic to dust mites and she takes allergy shots. Best of luck to you. -LYNNDEE

Marie Gizelle said...

My husband and I got bad pollen allergies some years back, we were advised to get shots, but I opted to detox/do clean gut and the following spring, we never had any allergies. Hope things get better for you...

Jona Shares said...

I have a friend who have really bad allergies and before we didn't know it was really allergy and it was hilarious. Good thing she now know how to take care of it. I think she had some shots taken too.

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